Acoustic Solid WTB 313 12" Metal Arm Tube Tonearm at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The WTB 313 is a 12-inch metal arm tube tonearm from Acoustic Solid (Germany), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. With an effective length of 302.9 mm, an offset angle of 17.3 degrees, and a cartridge weight range of 8 to 25 grams, the WTB 313 brings the geometric advantages of a 12-inch arm — reduced tracking error across the record surface — to Acoustic Solid turntables and compatible third-party plinths with a 287 mm mounting distance. Total tonearm weight is 442 grams, with the metal arm tube providing a different resonance and mass characteristic to the carbon fiber WTB 230, suited to cartridges of medium to high compliance and body weight.

12-Inch Geometry and Reduced Tracking Error

The primary acoustic advantage of a 12-inch tonearm over a 9-inch design is geometric: the longer effective length of 302.9 mm reduces the angular tracking error across the record surface, as the stylus traces an arc that more closely approximates the straight line of the cutting lathe. This results in lower distortion — particularly in the inner groove area where tracking error accumulates most significantly in shorter arms — and a more consistent stereo image and channel separation from the outer edge of the record to the final groove. The WTB 313's 17.3 degree offset angle is optimized specifically for 12-inch geometry, providing minimal tracking error across the full playback arc at a 287 mm mounting distance.

Metal Arm Tube and Cartridge Compatibility

Where the WTB 230 uses a carbon fiber arm tube for a low-mass, high-rigidity characteristic, the WTB 313's metal arm tube offers a different mass and resonance profile suited to cartridges in the 8 to 25 gram weight range — a heavier range than the WTB 230's 5 to 20 grams, accommodating more substantial moving coil and moving magnet cartridge bodies. The higher effective mass of a metal arm tube pairs well with lower-compliance cartridges, where the tonearm-cartridge resonance frequency falls within the ideal 8 to 12 Hz range. At 442 grams total weight, the WTB 313 is the heavier of the two WTB arm tube options, providing a stable and well-damped bearing performance on Acoustic Solid plinths with 12-inch tonearm mounting bases.

Key Features

• 12-Inch Effective Length: 302.9 mm effective length reduces tracking error across the record surface compared to 9-inch designs, with the greatest improvement in the inner groove area where distortion accumulates.
• Metal Arm Tube: Higher effective mass than carbon fiber, suited to medium to low compliance cartridges in the 8 to 25 gram body weight range for optimal tonearm-cartridge resonance matching.
• 17.3 Degree Offset Angle: Optimized for 12-inch tonearm geometry, providing minimal tracking error across the full playback arc at 287 mm mounting distance.
• 8 to 25 Gram Cartridge Range: Wider and heavier cartridge weight accommodation than the WTB 230, covering a broad selection of moving coil and moving magnet cartridges including heavier high-output MC designs.
• 287 mm Mounting Distance: Standard 12-inch mounting geometry for direct compatibility with Acoustic Solid turntable plinths fitted with 12-inch WTB-series tonearm bases.
• 442 Gram Total Weight: Heavier than the WTB 230, providing stable bearing performance and a well-damped pivot for medium to low compliance cartridge pairings.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Acoustic Solid WTB 313?

The Acoustic Solid WTB 313 is a 12-inch metal arm tube tonearm from Acoustic Solid of Germany, with an effective length of 302.9 mm, a 17.3 degree offset angle, and compatibility with cartridges weighing between 8 and 25 grams. It is designed for use on Acoustic Solid turntables with 12-inch WTB-series tonearm mounting bases and compatible third-party plinths at a 287 mm mounting distance.

How does the Acoustic Solid WTB 313 compare to the WTB 230 and WTB 370?

The WTB 313 and WTB 230 are both WTB-series tonearms but differ in length, arm tube material, and cartridge weight range. The WTB 230 is a 9-inch carbon fiber arm accepting 5 to 20 gram cartridges; the WTB 313 is a 12-inch metal arm accepting 8 to 25 grams, with higher effective mass suited to lower-compliance cartridges and greater geometric tracking accuracy across the record surface. The WTB 370 is also a 12-inch arm — the choice between the 313 and 370 comes down to arm tube material preference and the specific cartridge being paired.

Why does a 12-inch tonearm like the WTB 313 reduce tracking distortion compared to a 9-inch arm?

A tonearm traces an arc across the record surface rather than a straight line, introducing a tracking angle error that varies across the playback radius. A longer effective length reduces the magnitude of this error because the arc more closely approximates a straight line at greater radius. The WTB 313's 302.9 mm effective length produces lower peak tracking error than the WTB 230's 233.75 mm, with the greatest audible benefit in the inner grooves of the record where tracking error is at its maximum in shorter arms — resulting in lower distortion and more stable stereo imaging at the end of each side.

What cartridges pair well with the Acoustic Solid WTB 313?

The WTB 313's metal arm tube and 8 to 25 gram cartridge weight range make it well suited to medium to low compliance moving coil cartridges from manufacturers such as Ortofon, Shelter, Koetsu, and Lyra, as well as heavier moving magnet cartridges from Nagaoka and Audio-Technica. For optimal tonearm-cartridge resonance matching within the ideal 8 to 12 Hz range, the effective mass of the WTB 313 should be matched against the cartridge's stated compliance figure. Vinyl Sound Toronto can advise on specific cartridge pairings.

Does the Acoustic Solid WTB 313 come with a cartridge?

No. The WTB 313 is supplied as a tonearm only, without a cartridge, allowing the buyer to select a cartridge suited to their phono stage, system character, and budget. Vinyl Sound Toronto can assist with cartridge selection and alignment for the WTB 313.

Where can I buy the Acoustic Solid WTB 313 in Toronto or Canada?

The Acoustic Solid WTB 313 is available in Toronto, Canada at Vinyl Sound, an authorized Acoustic Solid dealer. Vinyl Sound's team can assist with tonearm installation, cartridge selection, overhang and azimuth alignment, and phono stage matching to complete the analog front end.